Mattapoisett harbormaster search in final stage

MATTAPOISETT — The search for a new harbormaster is on its last leg, with selectmen set to interview the final candidate on Tuesday.

Comment

By SIMÓN RIOS

southcoasttoday.com

By SIMÓN RIOS

Posted Jul. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By SIMÓN RIOS

Posted Jul. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

MATTAPOISETT — The search for a new harbormaster is on its last leg, with selectmen set to interview the final candidate on Tuesday.

But Sgt. Jill Simmons of the New Bedford Port Security Team, a potential frontrunner for the position who withdrew her candidacy last week, said she could reconsider.

Simmons, a veteran of the New Bedford Police Department who is retiring, said she withdrew last week because of another possible job opening in the city, where she prefers to work. But she said she learned on Monday that position could be a full-time job — meaning she would be unable to collect retirement pay — and it threw her plans into question.

Asked if she regrets withdrawing her candidacy in Mattapoisett, Simmons said not yet.

"Right now I don't because I know where I wanted to be, but if that's not going to happen then yeah, I might start to regret it."

Simmons said she will determine what course she will take in the coming days.

Selectman Jordan Collyer said Simmons was the most qualified of all the candidates. He said he would "entertain" her candidacy if she were to re-enter the hiring process.

Katelyn Anthony Schwebach is one of two in line to replace Harbormaster Horace Field, who has filled the position for some two years. Open to the public, Schwebach's interview will take place at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall, followed by the selectmen meeting at 7. The other candidate, Robert Caton, was already interviewed.

Town Administrator Mike Gagne said selectmen want to make a hire as soon as possible to work with Field, who will mentor the incoming harbormaster.